North Washington guide service

The river is in great shape.  Flows at the international border are ranging between 90-100k daily and the lake level is @ 1265 above sea level.

The elevation of Lake Roosevelt is expected to gradually decrease over the next week to be in the range of 1257 – 1259 by March 7.  Lake Roosevelt is currently being operated to meet power demand.  The predicted elevations are…
March 31 – 1255
April 30 – 1249.5

Swinging and retrieving a variety of patterns has proved effective.   Sculpins to Minnows to Stones and more….

We predict the next 45 days to be awesome on the Upper Columbia…..

Call 509.962.5959 or 509.859.2280

The Yakima has had some reasonable dry fly Skwala action lately.  Every day and zone will be a bit different with no guarantees, as it is fishing!  Best dry fly pattern for us recently is the #10 Unit Skwala.  

Recent trout that fell for the Unit Skwala

Unit Skwala

The Yakima has been a bit quirky and in the same breath, good.  There are a myriad of choices for the trout to eat currently, unlike a normal February.  Generally at this time of year the predominant active stonefly nymph would be the Skwala; and they are active.   In addition to the Skwala, we have noticed active Salmonfly nymphs…a little early for this.

We have been utilizing all tactics to catch trout….Nymphs, dry flies  and streamers

Predominant bugs hatching are….
#16-18 Blue Wings
#22 Midges
#10 Skwala (A few)

Honorable mentions;
Phil’s first
The Streamer game
59 degrees
Blue wing sippers
Bobber eating trout

To view more recent photos, click here

Salmofly Nymphs

Phil with one of his first trout ever.

Been running a little behind lately.  Apologize for the delay in responding.  The last big water occurrence brought in some fish and the ensuing 9 days after has been some good fishing on both the swing and the bobbercator.   We are however in need of some more water as everything is getting ‘kinda bony’.

For more images click here

There have been a few of these around….on both the nymph and the swing.   Water has dropped and cleared on most watersheds; in fact we need some more rain.  Hopefully not as much as the last deluge.

Yakima river clarity chart

Upper Proper – 3.5 feet
Upper Flatlands – 4.5 feet
Upper Canyon – 3.5 feet
Farmlands – 3.5
Lower Canyon – 2.5

Fishing continues to be steady – Some days have been real good lately! Best bugs include various Skwala nymphs and searching nymphs – The below bug image demonstrates one of our guides preparation for the dry fly action – Coming real soon to the Yakima!  The other images are of beautiful Yakima trout.

Here are ‘two looks’ at being waterside and in search of Steelhead…

Photos by Brian Chou

The last water occurrence was a BIG ONE. We are excited to be back on the water :))).  If your fishing using a  boat there will undoubtedly be some new ‘ISSUES’,  So be careful as big water occurences can change rivers dramatically.

Excited to fish the Ultra Spey and Salar Finder this next week.  These multi density lines can and will get the fly down better in the  typical 3-5 foot deep glides. They will also SLOW the fly down which can be very helpful.  These lines are best suited to fish the traditional ‘swing glides’

These lines however, are not the best in the ‘slotty fast’ waters where the Skagit head with a heavier tip and heavier bug would be more appropriate, like you might find on the OP’s  Duc or Clearwater.

So the moral of the story is….’One cannot have enough lines’  for the two hander,